digest
Short Summary
Main recommendation: Rather than inviting the most famous or impressive guests, Rabbi Krohn's lesson is to think of others first, as Rav David Feinstein did by answering that he would invite three poor people to dinner. This is what chessed, or acts of loving-kindness, is all about. The video contrasts Rabbi Krohn's own answer of three great figures with Rav Feinstein's answer that shows selfless giving.
Key Points
- The video's promised list of 3 items is Rabbi Krohn's own answer to the dinner question: David Hamelech, Rashi, and the Chofetz Chaim.
-
- David Hamelech, because he went through so much in his life that he could answer any question about life.
-
- Rashi, whom Rabbi Krohn considered the most kind and sympathetic person, and whose commentaries explain anything in the Gemara.
-
- The Chofetz Chaim, whom he felt was like a grandfather to the Jewish people.
- Rabbi Krohn praised an earlier answer, Kamsa and Bar Kamtza, as a fabulous answer for making peace, but noted it was wrong because it was Bar Kamtza who was the enemy who caused the trouble.
- Rav David Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem, answered that he would invite three poor people.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions: Stop thinking only about yourself and start thinking about other people, which Rabbi Krohn identifies as the essence of chessed. Apply this by considering who in your life could benefit from your hospitality before considering prestigious guests.
- The question came from Arie Hirsch, who lives in West Hempstead and publishes the free family newspaper Jewish Views, which can be picked up in Brooklyn. He asks about 50 public figures the same question and prints the answers in a later issue.
- Hirsch called Rabbi Krohn three years ago with the question of which three people from the time of the Mishnah until today one would invite to dinner.
- Rabbi Krohn initially assumed the best answers would be great guests such as Rashi, David Hamelech, or Rav Moshe with a video camera ready.
Bottom Line
The most meaningful answer is not about who would impress you but about who needs your kindness. Rav Feinstein's choice of three poor people shows that true chessed means putting others first.
